The Situation
A well-known known manufacturer of diesel filters in the heavy-duty truck market needed to improve extreme low temperature performance for a biodiesel application. The only viable material was extreme low temp FKM. This material upgrade added a significant BOM cost increase which would limit the program’s commercial viability.
The Ask
We were asked to find a better option
The Solution
We applied our extensive experience of seal function in filter systems. We identified seals where temporary low temp leakage pending system heat up would not be a significant problem. This analysis identified 7 of 11 seals which could remain as standard FKM vs the high cost specialty FKM formulation. The customer evaluated and approved our recommendation
The Success
By selectively specifying a mix of regular and specialty FKM our customer achieved BOM cost targets facilitating a profitable new program with a major OEM customer, while adding -40 F performance to their biodiesel product line.
Ongoing predictable seal performance is assured regardless of influences inside and outside the supply chain by deploying Darcoid’s Seal Performance Creep controls
